EPA Withdraws Pa. Gas Volatility Ruling

Adverse comments on low-RVP gasoline program caused the rule to be withdrawn.

August 07, 2018

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is withdrawing a final ruling published on June 15, 2018, to revise Pennsylvania requirements on summertime gasoline volatility standards because of adverse comments.

The original revision to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania state implementation plan (SIP) requested “the removal [of Pennsylvania requirements] … limiting summertime gasoline volatility to 7.8 pounds per square inch (psi) Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) to address nonattainment under the 1-hour ozone national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) in the Pittsburgh-Beaver Valley ozone nonattainment area.”

In the June 15 action, EPA proposed to approve a May 2018 revision to remove Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) requirements for summertime low-volatility gasoline from the Pennsylvania SIP. Instead the area would be held to the federal 9.0 psi summertime RVP standard. The direct final rule stated that if adverse comments were received, the rule would be withdrawn and would not take effect.

According to the Federal Register Vol. 83, No. 151, published on August 6, 2018, “EPA will address the comments received on our proposed action to remove the PADEP low RVP gasoline requirements from the Pennsylvania SIP in a subsequent final action. EPA will not institute a second comment period on this action.”

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